Appointments

Appointments can be made in person, online or by telephoning our Help Hub on 01252 872333 during surgery hours. Don't worry if you use the old Monteagle or Hartley Corner numbers - our new phone system is very clever and you will still get through to the Hub!

Routine Appointments

All patients are assigned to a "Usual GP" and we encourage patients to see this doctor where possible so that continuity of care can be given.

Routine appointments can be booked in advance. As our phones are very busy first thing in morning, calling to book routine appointments later in the day is very helpful.

Urgent Appointments

If your usual doctor is not available and your problem is medically urgent, you will be offered an appointment the same day at our Urgent Care Centre which is based at Yateley Medical Centre.

We will always see you on the day you call, if your problem is clinically urgent.

You will be seen by whichever Doctors or Nurse Practitioners are on Duty that day. Please remember that in an urgent appointment it is likely that the doctor or nurse will only deal with the immediate problem and that your length of wait may depend on the number of patients waiting to be seen. Please only use this service when your problem cannot wait until the next routine appointment available.

AS you are telling us you need to be seen urgently, we will offer you the next available appointment. If work or school commitments prevent you from attending this, your may wish to consider asking taking a routine appointment at a more convenient time.

Booking your Appointment

Our Receptionists are well trained and maintain complete confidentiality – feel free to ask their advice if you are unsure what to do, so that they can help you make best use of the services we offer. They will ask for a brief reason for your visit. This ensures that you are seen by the person best able to help you and also allows the doctor or nurse to plan for your visit.

If you cannot keep an appointment, please inform us as soon as possible so that it can be offered to another patient. You can cancel (but not make) appointments by following the link on the home page.

Please remember, an appointment is for one person only and separate appointments should be made for each person requiring a consultation.

Extended Hours Appointments

For those who cannot see their doctor or a nurse during normal surgery hours, there are a limited number of additional appointments available on Monday - Friday evenings and and Saturday mornings.

Text Service

If you have a mobile phone, please make sure that we have your number. We offer an appointment reminder service by text. Contacting patients by text is also quicker and cheaper than writing.

Disabled Access

There are disabled parking spaces close to the front door at all of our sites. Wheelchair access is available to all consulting rooms. We have accessible toilet facilities. A hearing loop is available at Reception.

A copy of the Practice Booklet with lots of information about the practice is available in large font - please ask Reception to arrange a copy if required.

Please make the Receptionist aware when you are booking your appointment if you are likely to need any additional assistance when you arrive at the surgery. For example, clinical staff will collect patients with sight impairment from the waiting room and accompany them to the consulting room if required.

We can arrange interpretation services in person or by phone for patients who do not speak English. A signing service is also available for patients who are deaf or who have limited hearing. Please let us know if you need one of these services when booking an appointment.

Online Appointments

We have introduced Patient Access, an online booking service allowing patients to book, view and cancel appointments with our practice using the internet. This system will also allow you to order repeat prescriptions and view your medical record including test results if requested.

Registration forms are available from reception or you can download a form. You will need to complete the registration form and bring this to the surgery with photographic identification such as a valid passport or valid driving license and proof of address.

Once you have registered with the practice, you will be given a unique registration number that will enable you to logon on at https://patient.emisaccess.co.uk where you will need to create your account.

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone the Help Hub before 10:30 if you require a home visit.

Please only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice.

Please bear in mind that visiting a patient at home takes approximately four times longer for the doctor than seeing you in the surgery and that there are also better facilities and equipment available to examine you at the surgery.

You may also be visited at home by a community nurse or Paramedic Practitioner if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby.

Telephone Advice

You may book a telephone appointment with your doctor by calling the Help Hub on 01252 872333.

Nurses are also available to offer advice on minor ailments - please book a call at Reception.

Top Tips For Your Appointment

Booking Your Appointment

Try to call later in the day to book routine appointments to avoid the busy time first thing in the morning when people call for appointments that day.

Remember that appointments are usually for ten minutes. If you have more than one problem or lots to discuss, please ask for a double appointment.

An appointment is for one patient. Please book a separate appointment if your child, husband, wife etc. needs to be seen too - it is usually not possible for the doctor to "just squeeze them in"!

The Doctors have asked the Reception Team to ask a reason for your visit. This allows us to make sure you are seeing the person best able to help you. It also allows the doctor to prepare for your visit in advance.

If you would like a chaperone to be present during your consultation, please mention this when booking so that one can be arranged.

Before Your Appointment

Write down your most important one or two queries

Make a note of your symptoms - when did they start? what makes them better or worse?

Ask a friend or family member to come with you if you like

If you think that you might need to be examined or are having a vaccination, wear clothes which are easy to remove so that you do not waste your appointment time getting undressed.

If you cannot make your appointment, please call us to cancel so we can give the appointment to another patient.

If you are concerned about forgetting your appointment, give us your mobile number and we will send you a text reminder

During Your Appointment

Don't be afraid to ask if you do not understand something - the doctor or nurse will be happy to explain it again.

If you don't understand any words, ask for them to be written down or explained.

Write things down or ask a family member or friend to make notes.

Check that you understand what should happen next and who to contact if there is a further problem.

If necessary, ask about Support Groups or where to get reliable further information

After Your Appointment

Make some notes about what was discussed and what is to happen next

Book any further tests or appointments and put them in your diary

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

Appointments to Obtain a "Fit Note"

You do not necessarily have to see a GP to get a fit note. If you have been in hospital, then the hospital should provide you with this. If you already have a fit note and need an extension then Reception can organise this for you. If you are not sure what to do then please speak to a Receptionist who will be able to help.

GP Training

We are a training practice and take Medical Students from the University of Southampton, Physician Associate Students from the University of Surrey, post graduate Doctors and GP Registrars.

GP Specialist Trainee Registrars (GPStR's) are fully qualified doctors who have spent a further two years in hospital training. They then spend one year with us to gain more experience in General Practice before qualifying as a GP.

Our current final year GP Registrars (GPST3) are:-

Dr Agnes Kempny

Dr Ester Blenke

Dr Shoaib Mohammad

Dr Urmila Paramarajah

Current FY2 trainee:

Dr Denise Chettier (Aug 19 - Dec 19)

Current Physicians Associate:-

In order for the GP registrars to successfully complete their training they need to be assessed on their consulting skills. This is done by the appointed assessors viewing a video of the registrar’s consultations. You may be asked for your permission to have your consultation recorded in this way. If you agree, you will need to give your written permission and there is a consent form available at the desk, which you will be offered. If the doctor appears to be recording your consultation and you have not signed a consent form, then you should indicate this to him or her immediately. The recording will be used for educational purposes only. Further information about this process and the confidentiality of it, can be obtained from the reception staff.